Extensive coverage of human physiology in 39 clearly-structured chapters make this the ideal student text.

Student-friendly explanations, enhanced with numerous with photos and diagrams, help students to learn and remember the material.

Boxes containing more advanced material, or numerical examples, give opportunities to stretch and challenge the reader.

Reading lists at the end of each chapter link physiology with other key subjects, particularly anatomy, biochemistry, and pharmacology.

Bulleted lists within chapters and at the end of chapters provide useful summaries and aid revision.

An accompanying Online Resource Centre includes multiple choice questions, allowing students to test their knowledge.

New to this edition

Clinical material is now integrated into the main text, rather than being discussed in a separate chapter.

Almost every chapter has been significantly expanded with extra detail. Many of the larger chapters have been subdivided to make it easier to navigate around each topic.

A bulleted checklist of key learning points has been added at the end of each chapter to aid revision.

More than 150 figures have been added, including original photomicrographs, and many existing figures have been redrawn.

A new chapter on basic chemistry has been introduced to permit those unfamiliar with chemical concepts to understand their application to physiology.

The discussion of the molecular processes involved in cell signalling and cell transport has been enhanced, reflecting the significant advances that have been made in these areas.

The human body is a complicated and beautiful machine, governed by the laws of physics and chemistry. By understanding its physiology - how it performs its varied functions - it is possible to build strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

In this extensively-revised edition, a new structure, additional learning features, and an expanded use of artwork, make Human Physiology even more
student-friendly than its predecessors.

Human Physiology provides clear explanations of the principles that govern the body's physiological processes and shows how these can be applied. This is the ideal course companion for any student needing a solid foundation in the subject for a future career in human biology, biomedical science, or medicine.

Readership: First and second year undergraduates studying human physiology as part of a biomedical, human biology, or medicine degree programme.

Gillian Pocock read Physiology at the University of Oxford before moving to Kings' College London to study for her PhD under the supervision of P.F. Baker. She held a post-doctoral position at Kings' College before
taking up an appointment in the Department of Physiology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine. She is now Senior Lecturer in Clinical Science in The Department of Health, Wellbeing and Family, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK. Her research interests have focussed on the role of calcium in secretion and pH regulation in neurons.

Christopher Richards read Biological Chemistry at the University of Bristol. He completed his PhD in the Department of Zoology, University of Bristol, under the supervision of P.C. Caldwell before taking up a position at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. He subsequently moved to the National Institute for Medical Research where he was
a member of the scientific staff. He later held posts in the Departments of Physiology at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine and University College London where he is currently Emeritus Professor of Experimental Physiology. He has published over 100 scientific articles, chiefly on the physiology and pharmacology of nerve cells.

David Richards studied biochemistry at the University of Bristol before beginning
his PhD at the National Institute for Medical Research and University College,
London under the supervision of T.V.P. Bliss. He has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Colorado Medical Center, the University of Zurich Brain Research Institute, and the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He has held faculty positions at the University of Cincinnati Medical School, and is currently Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. His research focuses on the cell biology that supports synaptic transmission.

"This welcomed fourth edition builds upon the positive aspects of previous editions and provides a fresh perspective to a complex area of study. Ease of reading and understanding is a key strength for this text and students will obtain detailed content, balanced with key effective learning tools to enhance knowledge exchange.
" - Dr Jamie O'Driscoll, Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University

"(About the previous edition) Loads of detail, easy to read and useful summaries at the end of topics. Also laid out in a really comprehensive way.
" - From Amazon UK

Section 1 Basic concepts in physiology
1: What is physiology?
2: Key concepts in chemistry
3: The chemical constitution of the bodySection 2 the organization and basic functions of cells
4: Introducing cells and tissues
5: The transport functions of the plasma membrane
6: Principles of cell signallingSection 3 The excitable tissues - nerve and muscle
7: Nerve cells and their connections
8: MuscleSection 4 The nervous system and special senses
9: Introduction to the nervous system
10: The physiology of motor systems
11: The autonomic nervous system
12: The sensory systems
13: Some aspects of higher nervous functionSection 5 The Endocrine system
14: Introduction to the endocrine system
15: The pituitary gland and hypothalamus
16: The thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands
17: The endocrine pancreas and regulation of plasma glucoseSection 6 Blood and the immune system
18: The properties of blood
19: Defence against infection: the immune systemSection 7 The cardiovascular system
20: Introduction to the cardiovascular system
21: The heart
22: The electrocardiogram
23: The circulation
24: The microcirculation and lymphatic systemSection 8 The respiratory system
25: Introduction to the respiratory system
26: Physiology of high altitude and divingSection 9 The urinary system and the regulation of the internal environment
27: The kidneys and the regulation of the internal environment
28: Fluid and electrolyte balance
29: Acid-base balanceSection 10 The Gastrointestinal System
30: The physiology of the digestive system
31: The liver and gallbladder
32: The nutritional needs of the bodySection 11 Reproduction and growth
33: The physiology of the male and female reproductive systems
34: Fertilization, pregnancy, and lactation
35: Fetal and neonatal physiology
36: The physiology of bone and the control of growthSection 12 Applied physiology
37: Energy balance and the control of metabolic rate
38: The physiology of exercise
39: The regulation of body temperature

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